Sharpening device



Jan. 16, 1940. l J. FREI. JR 2,187,231

SHARPENING' DEVICE Filed April 13, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jm 16, 1940,.'J, FRE, JR v 2,187,231

SHARPENING DEVICE Filed Apg'il 13, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J.FRE|..|R y l2,187,231

SHARPENING DEVICE Filed April 13, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Jan.`16, 1940 l UNITED e STATES PATENT OFFICE e z,1s'z,z31

\ SHARPENING DEVICE John Frei, Jr., Chicago, Ill.

Application April 13, 193e, sen'al No. `201,706

13 Claims.

My` invention relates generally to sharpening devices, and particularlyto` devices adapted for the` sharpening of hypodermic needles and thelike. l l As is Well known, hypodermic `needles are pro-` vided withcutting edges disposed oblique tothe longitudinal `axis of the needle,and the bore of the needle opens through' this oblique face of thecutting edges. For various purposes, the needles are employed to piercehuman flesh and tissue, and they also find common application for thepiercing of animal iiesh and tissue. This particular use of the needlerequires that it be provided with cutting edges meeting certain definite15,1 requirements. That is, the cutting `,edges must be of extremesharpness, lfree `from imperfections, serrations and roughened edges toinsure that the flesh and tissue will not `be torn during insertion ofthe needle. Further, the cutting edges of said needle must lie in asurface angularly disposed with respect to the'longitudinal axis of theneedle, and with the symmetry axis of said cutting edges lying in avertical axial plane through the needle,

to facilitate smooth, easy entrance of the cutting gsledges into the`nesh and tissue,'thereby reducing to a minimum any unnecessary painincident to the use of the needle.

With frequent use, the cutting edges of hypodermic needles rapidly losetheir above stater of 3p perfection., It is evident, therefore, if theobjectheir former state of perfection. However, the

` task of sharpening the needles presents numerous problems. ing andmaintaining the oblique cutting edges of the needle in thecorrectposition upon an abrasive u element during `the sharpening operation toasi sure of the axis of symmetry of said cutting edges being maintainedin `the vertical axial plane through the needle for the purpose abovedescribed. Further, the particular angle which the surface, in which thecutting edges lie, makes with respect to the` longitudinal axis of theneedle varies in the various sizes of needles. Secondly, this thenbrings up the problem of positioning and maintaining a certain sizeneedle in `such position so upon the abrasive element during thesharpening operation as to insure imparting the correct angular positionof the cutting edge surface required by such needle. In addition, largenumbersy of the needles are employed in hospitals and like First, thereis the problem of positionplaces, and in such places the time elementinvolvedin sharpening the needles becomes an important factor. l

Because of various uncontrollable factors, it `is evident that manuallysharpening a needle by holding it in the hand and rubbing it upon an acomplexity of means for holding and adjusting both the stone and needlein cooperative sharpening relationship.

The present invention has for its principal object the provision ofapparatus of simple, compact and inexpensive construction for sharpeningused and worn hypodermic needles, and particularly the provisionofapparatus employing a plurality of rotatable annular abrasive elements,together with simple and compact needle supporting means capable of`receiving various sizes of needles, said supporting means beingoperative, with a minimum amount of adjustment, to support a needle infixed predetermined position with respect to one of said abrasiveelements, or to all of said elements in succession, to thereby sharpenthecutting edges of the needle to meet the requirements above described.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will in part be obviousand in part hereinafter pointed out, and they consist generally in thefeatures of` construction, combination of elements and arrangement ofparts which will be exemplied in the constructions to be described, andof which the scope of application will be indicated in the appendedclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown the preferredillustrative embodiments of my invention, j

Figure l is a plan view of a power operated sharpening device embodyingthe principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is aview, partly in vertical section and partly in endelevation, taken. substantially along the line 3-3 of Figurel; l

Figure is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a hypodermic needle; l

Figure 5 is` a `view of the needle supporting means partly in verticalsection and partly in side elevation, taken substantially along the line5-'5 of Figure 1; l

Figure 6 is a plan view of a manually operated sharpening deviceembodying the principles of the present invention; and

Figure '7 is a side elevational view of the device of Figure 6.

While I have referred to the devices of my present invention as beingespecially applicable to the sharpening of hypodermic needles, it willbe evident, as the description thereof progresses, that the devices mayequally well be employed for sharpening various other instrumentsywherein the cutting edges lie within a surface disposedin angularrelationship with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.

Referringnow in detail to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the sharpeningdevice therein disclosed comprises a base, designated generally at 6,and preferably formed of a suitable metal, such as cast aluminum.` Thisbase is of relatively narrow height and comprises a substantiallyrectangular portion 'I having an integrally formed and outwardlyextending tapered tongue portion 8. Resilient foot members 9 are securedto the under surface of the base, as by means of screws Il, while therectangular portion 'I of the lbase supports a housing I2 on its uppersurface. Preferably housing I2 is of the form shown and, like the base,may be formed of cast aluminum. Adjacent one end thereof, housing I2 isprovided with a curved and Substantially rectangularly shaped openingI3, this opening being relatively narrow in width, and extending in anarc from a point located substantially centrally of the front face ofthe housing, to a point located substantially centrally of the top wallof the housing.

Within housing I2, and seating on portion 1 of base E, is an electricmotor I4which may be fixedly secured to the base in any suitable orpreferred manner. The rotor shaft of the motor is suitably connected tothe input shaft of a gear reduction box I5,'while the output shaft I6 ofsuch box has a plurality of abrasive elements or wheels I1 fixedlysecured thereto, as by means of the nut I8. These wheels are shown asbeing three in number, although a greater or lesser number may beemployed. Preferably, wheels are equal in thickness and diameter to eachother, and are of different abrasive qualities.' They are arranged withrespect to each other to increase in coarseness from top to bottom, asviewed in Figure 1 of the drawings, and their location within housing I2is such'that a portionof their peripheral extent is exposed throughopening I3 of the housing. Rotationof the wheels is in the directionindicated by the arrow in Figure 2 of the drawings. Leads I8 connect themotor to a suitable source of current, while a switch 2|, carried byhousing l2 and included in the motor circuit, controls the starting andstopping of the motor.

Spaced radially outwardly from abrasive means I1 and supported on tongueportion 8 of base 6, adjacent the outer edge thereof, is a verticalstandard 22. This standard is preferably shaped as shown, and isV alsoformed from a suitable to the exis of the'grinding whee1s l1. sleeve 23snugly, although not tightly, receives a plunger 24, which hasrotational movement through 'a the complete arc of 360 in said sleeve,as Well as translation movement axially thereof. An annular ring 25,which snaps into an annular recess 26 formed in the outer periphery ofthe plunger closely adjacent one end thereof, engages one end of thesleeve for limiting axial movement of the plunger in one direction,while a supporting arm 2'! carried by the plunger closely adjacent theopposite end thereof engages the opposite end of the sleeve to limitaxial movement of the plunger in the opposite direction.

Supporting arm 21 is substantially square in cross-section andis ofappreciable length. It is carried in a substantially square slot 28extending transversely through one end of the plunger, and is slidablefrom end to end through said slot. The arm has a relatively snug, butnot tight, fit in the slot, and may be frictionally maintained in anyadjusted position therein by a pin 29 disposed in an axial bore 3| inthe plunger. As best shown in Figure 5, pin 29 is maintained pressedinto engagement with arm 2'I by a compression spring 32 which is biasedbetween such pin and a closure plug 33 threaded into and closing theopen end of bore 3l.

Adjacent its opposite ends, arm 2'I is turned down to providesubstantially conically shaped pins 34 extending axially outwardly fromopposite ends of the arms for a relatively short distance. Each of thepinsare of a different diameter. At least one of the pins, therefore,will receive one of the two standard sizes of connecting heads 35 now incommon use on the hypodermic needles 35. By properly adjusting arm 2'Iwith respect to plunger 24, the plunger may be rotated to present eitherof the pins 34 to the grinding wheels for the reception of its propercooperating needle head. Any desired wheel may be employed to grind thecutting edges of the needle, axial movement of plunger 24 bringing theneedle into alignment with the desired grinding wheel. The connectingheads 35 usually'have a hexagonal nut formed integrally therewith, orother similar angular faces. Leaf springs 3l', one each suitably securedat one of their ends to the opposite yends of arm 21, as by means ofrivets 38, extend out over the pins 34, and are adapted to frictionallyengage and bear against vone of the faces of the hexagonal nut on theconnecting heads, or one of the other angular faces thereof, and tothereby prevent axial rotation of said head and needle with respect topin 34.

As before stated, the cutting edges 36a of the hypodermic needle aredisposed oblique to the longitudinal axis of the needle, and it is theseoblique cutting edges which are to be sharpened or ground. In thevarious sizes of needles the angular position of the surface in whichthe cutting edges lie varies with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe needle. However, the correct angular position of the surface inwhich the cutting edges are to lie for each particular size of needlehas been scientifically determined and is known. In the instant device,the portion 39 of housing I2, which denes one edge of the opening I3therein, is curved to conform to the curvature of the outer periphery ofthe wheels II, and is stamped with the indicator marks 4I. These markscorrespond in degrees with the different degrees of angularity which maybe given to the surface in which the cutting edges are to lie in thevarious sizes of needles. Knowing the required degree of angularity ofthe surface in which the cutting edges are to lie for a particular sizeneedle, it is only necessary to adjust arm 21 in` plunger 24 tovallowthetip end of such needle to resten one of the grinding wheels in axialalignment withthe indicator mark corree sponding to the known degree ofangularity for tates smooth, easy insertion the surface in which thecutting edges are'to lie, whereupon operation of the .device willsharpen the cutting edges of the needle and insure that such edges willlie in a surface disposed in correct l angular relationship with respectto the axis of In the manually operated device shown in Figures 6 and 7,a substantially rectangularly shaped base 42 is employed, thisbase alsobeing prefer- `ably formed of castaluminum. As in thevdevice als ofFigures 1 to 3, inclusive,` the instant form of device employs thestandard 22` having the integral sleeve 23 for reception of thep1unger124,

`which carries the needle supporting arm 21', each of these elementsbeing `constructed and operating in the manner above described. Asshown, standard 22 is located adjacent one endlof base 42, to which itmay rigidly besecured in any suitable or preferred manner, andwith thelon- X gitudinal axis of the sleeve extending transversely `oi thebase.

At the opposite end of the base is provided a second standard 43,similar in construction to the standard 22'; This second standardlikewise has `a bearing or sleeve 44 `formed integrally with the upperface thereof, the standard being suitably rigidly secured to the base,`and with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve extending transverselyofthebase. A shaft 45 is rotatably received in sleeve 44 and, at oneend, is providedv with a crank arm 46 rigidly secured thereto.` At

its opposite end, the shaft 45 has the plurality of abrasive elements orwheels I1 rigidly secured thereto, as by means of the nut 41. A sector-`shaped plate 48, having a right angle flange 49, is interposed betweenthe wheels l1 and the sleeve 44, and is rigidly secured to the sleeve inany suitable or preferredvmanner. The upper or outer surface of ange 49is disposed in substantially the plane of the surface of wheels l1', andis provided with the indicator marks4l. for

` the purpose hereinbeiore described. The operation of this form ofdeviceis substantially similar to the operation described aboveinconnection with the device ofFigures 1 to 3, inclusive, and it need not,therefore, `be repeated here. e

While preferred embodiments of my invention have been illustrated anddescribed, by way of example, it will be obvious that changes may bemade therein within the spirit and scope of the invention and,therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the precise formsherein described,

except insofar as they may so be limited by the appended claims.

I claim: i t 1. A device of the class described comprising 'jd-"a base,annular rotatable abrasive means supported on said base, a standardspaced from said abrasive means and carried by said base,a sleevevcarried by said standard, a plunger disposed in said sleeve, saidplunger being provided with af*- longitudinal bore and a transverse slotcommuni- `carried by said standard, a plunger having a slot eating witheach other, an instrument supporting arm slidably mounted in said slot,a pin disposed within` said bore for free sliding movement therein,means normally urging said pin into contact with said arm` toautomatically maintain it in 5 adjusted position within said slot, andmeans entirely confining said pin and said last named means in saidbore.

2. A device of the class described comprising a base, annular rotatableabrasive means supported on said base, a standard spaced from saidabrasive means and carried by said base, a sleeve carried bysaidstandard, a plunger disposed in said sleeve, said plunger being providedwith a longitudinal bore and a transverse slot communi- 15` eating witheach other, an instrument supporting arm slidably mounted in said slot,a pin disposed in `said bore for free sliding movement therein, acompression spring associated with said plunger and pin and normallyurging said pin into frictional Contact with said arm to automaticallymaintain it in adjusted position within said slot, and means entirelyconfining said pin and said spring in said bore.

v3. A device ofthe class described comprising a base, annular rotatableabrasive means supported on said base, a standard spaced from saidabrasive means and carried by said base, a sleeve carried by saidstandard, a plunger disposed in said sleeve, said plunger having anaxial bore extending inwardly from one end thereof and terminating in atransverse slot disposed adjacentthe opposite end of said plunger, aninstru-- ment supporting arm slidably disposed in said slot and closingone end of said bore, a closure plug closing the opposite end of saidbore, a pin slidably disposed in said bore, and a compression springbiased between said plug and said pin and normally urging said pin intofrictional contact with said arm to maintain said arm in adjustedposition within said slot.

4. A device of the class described comprising a base, annular `rotatableabrasive means supported on saidbase, a standard spaced from saidabrasive means and carried by said base, a sleeve carried by saidstandard, a plunger having a slot therein, an arm slidably disposed insaid slot for movement from and toward said abrasive means, and aninstrument receiving pin extending outwardly'from each of the oppositeends of said arm, each of said pins being of a different diameter andsaid plunger being rotatably mounted ,in said sleeve whereby either endof saidarm and the pin thereon may be presented to said abrasive means.

5. A device of the class described comprising a base, annular rotatableabrasive means supported on said base, a standard spaced from saidabrasive means and carried by said base, a sleeve therein, an armslidably disposed in said slot for movement from and toward saidabrasive means, an instrument receiving pin extending outwardly fromeach of the opposite ends of said arm, said pins each being of adifferent diameter for receiving instruments having different sizes ofconnecting heads, said plunger being rotatably mounted `in said `sleevewhereby either end of said arm and the pin thereon may be presented tosaid abrasive means, and means carried by said arm and adapted forcooperation with the connecting heads of said instruments to restrainaxial rotation of said instruments with respect to said pins. i

6. A-device for sharpening instruments having cutting edges disposedoblique with respect :to the longitudinal axis of said instrumentscomprising a base, annular yrotatable abrasive means supported on saidbase, a housing enclosing said abrasive means and having an openingtherein through which an instrument may be introduced to be positionedon said abrasive means, a standard spaced radially from said housing andabrasive means and carried by said base, said standard being offset tooneyside of the opening in said housing, a sleeve formed integral withsaid standard, an instrument supporting arm positioned in front of theopening in said housing, means connecting said arm with said sleeve, andindex characters impressed on a marginal edge of said housing definingsaid opening and adjacent said abrasive-means whereby proper positioningof said instrument on said abrasive means may be secured to assuresharpening of the cutting edges of the instrument to lie in a surfacedisposed in correct angular relationship with respect to thelongitudinal 'axis thereof.

'7. A sharpening device for sharpening handleless instruments having arecessed head, said device comprising a base, annular rotatable abrasivemeans supported on said base, a standard spaced from said abrasive meansand carried by said base, a sleeve carried by said standard with itsaxis disposed substantially parallel to the axis of said abrasive means,a plunger carried by said sleeve, an instrumeht supporting armpermanently carried by said plunger with its major axis disposed atsubstantially right angles to the axis of said sleeve, said arm beingadjustable with j respect to saidl plunger to thereby adjustably bridgethe space between said standard and said abrasive means, and a pin ofreduced cross-section carried by and projecting beyond lan end of saidarm for engaging in the recessed head of `said handleless instrument.

8. An instrument sharpening' device comprising a base, annular rotatableabrasive means supported on said base, a standard spaced from saidabrasive means and carried by said base, a sleeve carried by saidstandard, both said standard and sleeve being offset to oneside of theplane defined by said abrasive means, a plunger carried by said sleevefor axial projection into the plane of said abrasive means, said plungerhaving a transverse slot substantially rectangular in outline closelyadjacent one end thereof, an Vinstrument supporting arm slidably mountedin said slot for movement transversely of said plunger to therebyadjustably bridge the space between the abrasive means and saidstandard, said arm being substantially rectangular in cross-section toconform with the outline of said slot whereby axial rotation of said armwill be restrained, and means on an end of said arm for detachablyconnecting an instrument thereto.

9. A portable instrument sharpening devicev comprising an elongated baseplate, annular rotatable abrasive means supported upon said plate latone end thereof, a standard mounted upon said plate at the opposite endthereof and onset to one side of the radial plane of said. abrasivemeans, an instrument supporting arm adapted to bridge the space betweensaid standard and said abrasive means, and means including a plungerextending between said arm and standard and connecting said arm to saidstandard for rotation in a vertical plane in the plane of said abrasivemeans `through an arc of at least 180, whereby either end of said armmay be utilized to support an instrument in sharpening position on` saidabrasive means.

10. A device for sharpening instruments having cutting edges disposedoblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of said instrumentscomprising a base, annular rotatabie abrasive means, means including asleeve supporting said abrasive means on said base, a standard spacedfrom said sleeve and carried by said base, an instrument supporting armcarried by said standard and adjustable with respect thereto, asector-shaped plate secured to said sleeve, and a iiange on said plateat right angles thereto and having its outer surface positioned insubstantially the plane of the outer surfaceof said abrasive means, saidflange having index characters thereon whereby proper adjustment of saidinstrument supporting arm and the instrument carried thereby withrespect to said index characters will assure proper positioning of saidinstrument on said abrasive means to assure sharpening of the cuttingedges of saidinstrument to lie in a surface disposed in correct angularrelationship with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.

11. In a machine for sharpening hypodermic needles, a plurality ofcoaxial grinding wheels of different abrasive qualities, a supportspaced from said wheels, a plunger rotatably mounted in said support andlengthwise slidable therein parallel to the axis of said wheels, a worksupporting arm slidable through said plunger perpendicular theretotoward andA away from said grinding wheels and confined against rotationrelative to said plunger, means at each end of said arm for mounting ahypodermic needle thereon substantially coaxial therewith, and meanscarried by said arm independently of said last named means and directlyengageable with said needle to conne it against turning movementrelative to said arm.

12. In a machine for sharpening hypodermic needles, a plurality ofcoaxial grinding wheels of different abrasive qualities, a supportspaced from said wheels, a plunger mounted on said support forlengthwise movement parallel to the axis of said wheels, a` worksupporting arm lengthwise slidable through said plunger perpendicularthereto toward and away from said grinding wheels, means maintainingsaid arm in adjusted position with respect to said plunger, cooperatingsurfaces on said plunger and arm independent of said last named meansconfining said arm against rotation relative to said plunger duringsliding movement of the arm relative thereto, and means for mounting ahypodermic needle on the end of said arm toward said grinding wheels andconfining the needle against turning movement relative to said arm.

13. In a device of the character described, a grinding wheel, a supportspaced from said wheel, a plunger mounted on said support for length-Wise movement parallel to the axis of said wheel and for turningmovement about its lengthwise axis, and a Work supporting arm carried bysaid plunger perpendicular thereto and lengthwise slidable transverselyof said plunger while mechanically confined against turning movementrelative thereto during such sliding movement.

JOHN FREI, J R.

